Tafseer of The Originator · Faatir · 35:42
And they swore by Allah their strongest oaths that if a warner came to them, they would be more guided than [any] one of the [previous] nations. But when a warner came to them, it did not increase them except in aversion.
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
The statement concerning the explanation of His saying, the Exalted: And they swore by Allah their strongest oaths, that if a warner were to come to them, they would surely be better guided than one of the [previous] communities. But when a warner came to them, it increased them in nothing but aversion (35:42).
The Exalted, whose mention is lofty, says: and these polytheists (mushrikīn) swore by Allah their strongest oaths — He says: the weightiest oaths, and they were excessive therein — that if a warner from Allah were to come to them, warning them of the punishment of Allah, they would surely be better guided than one of the [previous] communities — He says: they would surely follow the path of truth better and accept more surely what the warner brings them from Allah's side, than one of the communities that passed away before them. But when a warner came to them — by the warner is meant Muḥammad, Allah's blessing and peace be upon him — He says: but when Muḥammad came to them, warning them of the punishment of Allah on account of their disbelief.
As Bishr related to us, he said: Yazīd related to us, he said: Saʿīd related to us, on the authority of Qatāda, concerning His saying But when a warner came to them: and that is Muḥammad, Allah's blessing and peace be upon him.
And His saying it increased them in nothing but aversion — He says: the coming of the warner increased them in nothing of belief in Allah, following the truth, and treading the right guidance of the path, except aversion and flight.